Aberdeen club applies to stay open until 4am

A nightclub’s bid to become the first in Aberdeen to stay open until 4am sparked fears other venues could do the same.

Bosses at Redemption on Belmont Street have applied to the licensing board asking to extend its opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Last year, when the club was known as the Priory, the local authority refused its application to operate beyond 3am.

But bosses at Redemption confirmed they had renewed the application, and argued the late opening would offer an alternative to casinos.

Operations manager Grant Wiseman said: “You look around the country right now – all you see is 24-hour gambling and drinking in casinos.

“And if you look at it that way, dancing is a lot better way for people to be spending their time than gambling.”

Aberdeen City Centre Community Council objected to the plans, amid fears if one premises is allowed to push back closing time, other venues could seek to do the same – increasing pressure on the emergency services.